Logan Allen likely had a difficult decision to make heading into this year’s spring training with the Cleveland Guardians. He had to determine if he should leave camp for the unique chance to represent Panama at the World Baseball Classic, or if he should stay in Arizona to compete as one of six starting pitchers vying for five spots in the Guardians’ starting rotation for 2026.
Allen left to pitch for Panama, but now, with less than two weeks to go before Opening Day, he’s back with the Guardians trying to make a final impression. After taking the mound on Saturday, he may have just one more chance this spring to solidify his role on the team.
Allen’s return to the Guardians did not go well, but manager Stephen Vogt maintained his usual positive attitude when addressing the left-hander’s performance.
“It was good to see Logan back with us, obviously. It looked like the command got a little erratic there towards the end, but again, first start in over a week. Good to get him back out on the mound, and excited to watch him the next time out,” Vogt said.
#Guardians manager Stephen Vogt on Logan Allen’s first start back with the team since returning from the #WorldBaseballClassic:
“Obviously looked like the command got a little erratic there towards the end, but again, first start in over a week… good to get him back out on the… pic.twitter.com/aXYWZpe6Kr
— Mason Horodyski (@MasonHorodyski) March 15, 2026
Starting against the San Diego Padres, Allen gave up six runs on seven hits in just 2.2 innings of an 8-5 loss. He allowed a long grand slam home run by Miguel Andujar in the third inning.
Allen had made two spring starts before leaving for the WBC, and he was better than that in those, with two earned runs and four hits allowed over 5.0 innings. In his lone start for Panama at the tournament, he gave up three runs on five hits in three innings of their opening-game loss to Cuba. Panama did not reach the knockout round after finishing last in Pool A.
Gavin Williams, Tanner Bibee, and Slade Cecconi are likely already assured spots in Cleveland’s rotation. So, with Parker Messick having an excellent spring following a strong late-season performance as a rookie last season, the final job could come down to either Allen or Joey Cantillo, who has had a rough spring so far with a 7.20 ERA over his five starts.
With just eight spring games remaining, it’s possible that whoever pitches the best in his final outing will earn a spot in the Guardians’ rotation, at least to begin the season.
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